Body armour

ABSTRACT

Described is a body armour for women. The body armour has a plate with preformed breast and sternum portions which conform to the breasts and sternum of a female body. At least part of the plate is made from a pliable material that moulds to the shape of a user&#39;s body and absorbs impact energy from an object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a bypass continuation-in-part of Internationalapplication No. PCT/AU2021/050017 filed Jan. 12, 2021, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to body armour.

The invention relates particularly, although by no means exclusively, tobody armour for sports or recreational activities (such as motocross,horse riding and martial arts) to protect the wearer from impact injury,for example from inanimate objects, such as the ground, or animateobjects such as another person.

The invention also relates to a garment comprising a body armouraccording to the invention.

BACKGROUND ART

People who engage in sports and recreational activities (such asmotocross, horse riding and martial arts) may often incur injuries as aresult of impact with an object.

The object may be inanimate such as the ground or rocks or animate suchas another person or an animal.

Injuries may range from minor to life threatening. It can be appreciatedthat even repeated minor injuries should be avoided as the cumulativeeffect of minor injuries over time may lead to health complicationslater in life.

To this end, different forms of body armour have been developed toprotect the wearer from injury.

However, existing body armour is typically designed for a male body andis often ill-fitting for women. Ill-fitting body armour is undesirablebecause it can adversely impact on the ability of the armour to protectthe wearer and/or be uncomfortable to the wearer.

The present invention aims to address at least some of the abovedisadvantages of known body armour or to at least provide a usefulalternative.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention provides body armour for women, the body armour comprisesa plate with preformed breast and sternum portions which conform to thebreasts and sternum of a female body, wherein at least part of the plateis made from a pliable material that moulds to the shape of a user'sbody and absorbs impact energy from an object.

As most body armour is designed for the male body, the shape of the bodyarmour does not conform to the breasts and sternum area of a femalebody. For example, the front of the body armour may be flatter thanwould be appropriate for a female body. As such, the breasts of a femalewearer will tend to be pressed against the body armour making ituncomfortable for the wearer and may even cause injury because of beingill-fitting.

In the present invention, the plate may be configured to accommodate thebreasts and sternum area of the female body by providing an openingaround the chest area to receive the wearer's breasts. The plate may beshaped to include an opening, suitably a hollow portion, configured toreceive at least one breast. For example, the plate may be curved orcontoured such that it defines the hollow portion configured to receiveat least one breast. Alternatively, the plate may be substantially flatwith a depression that defines the hollow portion configured to receiveat least one breast.

In the context of this specification, the term “plate” refers an objectthat is smaller in thickness than it is in any other dimension, forexample width or length. Suitably, the plate has a substantiallycontinuous surface. The plate may have flat, curved and/or contouredportions.

The plate may be made from a single piece of material. The plate may bemoulded from pourable or injectable material. Suitably, individualsections or regions of the plate are formed separately and subsequentlyconnected.

It is understood that the “object” that impacts the body armour may beinanimate or animate. Examples of inanimate objects include balls,motorbike parts, rocks, or the ground. Examples of animate objectsinclude other people or animals.

A person skilled in the art would understand that the material of theplate should have mechanical properties which allow sufficientabsorption of impact energy to prevent injury to the wearer.

The term “pliable” will be understood by the person skilled in the artto refer to being flexible and/or mouldable.

The material may increase its rigidity upon impact with an object.

The material may be viscoelastic. It is understood that the term“viscoelastic” refers to a material that exhibit both viscous andelastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Typically, aviscoelastic material has a molecular structure in which the moleculescompress when impacted to disperse a force of the impact. The density ofthe material may increase as a result of the molecules compressing.

The material may exhibit non-Newtonian properties. In one embodiment,the material may exhibit shearing-thickening behaviour. For example, thematerial may increase in stiffness, viscosity or rigidity when a load isapplied to it.

The material may be a memory foam. Memory foam is a material that issensitive to pressure and temperature and moulds to the shape of anindividual's body. The memory foam may be any suitable memory foam knownin the art. The memory foam may comprise Polyurethane (PU). Suitably,the memory foam is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam. Alternatively,the memory foam may be D3O® foam.

The material may be an open-cell structure.

The material may be a polyurethane memory foam.

Polyurethane memory foam may exhibit a viscoelastic effect due tocompression of the open-cell structure of the foam. One benefit ofhaving an open-cell structure is that the air within the structure canbe compressed or expelled upon impact which may lead to an increase indensity of material.

Polyurethane memory foam has a number of advantages over othermaterials, such as styrofoam (EPS), silicone, and polycarbonate materialas used in rigid (e.g. hard shell) body armour.

Firstly, polyurethane memory foam is capable of repeatedly absorbinghigher impact forces than styrofoam (EPS) and silicone. Suitably, thepolyurethane memory foam is CE-approved according to European StandardEN 1621. More suitably, the polyurethane memory foam is capable ofremaining up to 50 percent below the legal values of defined in EuropeanStandard EN 1621.

Secondly, polyurethane memory foam is lightweight when compared withhard shell protectors or materials containing silicone. Generally, thelighter the body armour the more comfortable it is for the wearer towear. Polyurethane memory foam may have a density of about between 150g/l and 500 g/l compared with polycarbonate as used in hard shell whichin contrast has a density of about 1,200 g/l.

Thirdly, the polyurethane memory foam provokes a progressive absorptionof impact energy due to its open-cell structure. This is because the airwithin the structure can be compressed or expelled upon impact. Thismeans that body armour remains pliable in case of slowly increasingforces. However, for impact forces with a higher impulse (e.g., thatoccur over a shorter period of time) the stiffness of the polyurethanememory foam increases. In other words, polyurethane memory foam reactspromptly and without delay to even minor impacts. When used in the bodyarmour, the energy absorption of the polyurethane memory foam mayapproach linearity, which may prevent the impact forces exerted on thehuman body exceeding an unacceptable level. This is contrary to hardshell body armour which is neither pliable nor capable of increasingstiffness depending on the impulse of the impact force.

The polyurethane memory foam may be made from renewable materials.

The polyurethane memory foam may have a life expectancy of around tenyears.

The polyurethane memory foam may resist temperatures of approx. 100° C.

The plate may have a length of up to 400 mm. Preferably, the plate has alength between 200 mm and 300 mm. More preferably, the plate has alength of about 238 mm or about 283 mm.

The plate may have a width of up to 500 mm. Preferably, the plate has awidth between 300 mm and 500 mm. More preferably, the plate has a widthof about 301 mm or about 304 mm.

The plate may be configured to conform to any one or more of thebreasts, sternum and abdomen of a female body. The plate may have auniform thickness throughout. However, it is also conceived that thethickness may be variable throughout the plate.

For example, different portions of the plate may have a differentthickness.

The plate may have a thickness of up to 20 mm. Preferably, the plate hasa thickness of at least 10 mm. More preferably, the plate has athickness between 10 mm and 20 mm. Most preferably, the plate has athickness of about 13 mm.

The plate may have a density of between 150 g/l and 500 g/l. Suitably,the plate may have a density of between 250 g/l and 500 g/l.

The plate may weigh between 200 g and 600 g.

The plate may be configured to meet European standard EN 1621-1:2012.Suitably, the plate may be configured to remain at least 50% below thevalues stated in European standard EN 1621-1:2012.

The plate may be CE Level 1 protected. For CE Level 1 protection: theaverage transmitted force must be below 18 kN, and no single value shallexceed 24 kN.

The plate may be CE Level 2 protected. For CE Level 2 protection: Theaverage transmitted force must be below 9 kN, and no single value shallexceed 12 kN.

In some embodiments, the plate may need to be at least in thickness tosatisfy CE Level 1. In these embodiments, the plate has a densitybetween 250 g/l and 300 g/l.

The plate may have at least one opening to allow air flow therethrough.

The opening may be adapted to provide evaporative cooling the wearer.

The opening may be a hole or a slot.

The plate may have an abdomen portion which is shaped to conform to theabdomen of a female body.

The opening may be located on the breast portion of the plate.

The opening may be located in the abdomen portion of the plate.

The opening may be located on both the breast and abdomen portions ofthe plate.

The plate may include a strengthening rib.

The strengthening rib may be located on the abdomen portion.

The strengthening rib may be curved.

The strengthening rib may be integral with the plate.

The strengthening rib may be made of the same material as the rest ofthe plate. For example, the strengthening rib may be a portion of theplate with an increased thickness.

The invention also provides body armour for women, the body armourcomprises a plate made from memory foam with preformed breast, sternumand abdomen portions which conform to the breasts, sternum and abdomenof a female body, respectively, wherein the abdomen portion has aplurality of openings to allow the passage of air flow therethrough.

The invention also provides a garment comprising the body armour asdescribed above, wherein the garment includes a retainer to removablyretain the body armour therein.

The retainer may be a pocket that is configured to receive the bodyarmour.

In one example, the pocket comprises a flap that folds over the bodyarmour to restrict movement out from the pocket. In other words, thepocket may be an envelope configuration.

The retainer may include a fastener such as a hook and loop fastener, ora clip.

An advantage of the garment is that the body armour can be removed toallow the garment to be washed in a washing machine. This is in contrastto garments with a permanently attached (stitched or glued) armour whichcan only be cleaned by hand-washing.

The garment may be a t-shirt, pullover, jersey for the upper part of auser's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and notby way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a rendered front view of body armour according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a line-drawn sectional view of the body armour along the lineA-A in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2B is a line-drawn sectional view of the body armour along the lineB-B in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a rendered top view of the body armour shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a rendered bottom view of the body armour shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a rendered rear view of the body armour shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a line-drawn front view of the body armour according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a line-drawn sectional view of the body armour along the lineA-A in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a line-drawn top view of the body armour according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a garment for use with the body armouraccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a test rig used to test the impactresistance of the body armour according to the embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a “kerbstone” impactor used in thetest rig as shown in FIG. 10 ; and

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a “conical” impactor used in the testrig as shown in FIG. 10 ;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a body armour 10 for women. Thebody armour 10 is intended to protect the wearer from impact injuriesthat occur as a result of a collision with an object.

The body armour 10 comprises a plate 12 having a front surface and arear surface that is configured to conform to the breasts and sternumarea of a female body. The plate 12 comprises a pair of breast portions12 a, a sternum portion 12 b disposed between the pair of breastportions 12 a and an abdomen portion 12 c that extends from the sternumportion 12 b. Each of the portions are shaped and dimensioned to conformto the respective area of the female body.

Each breast portion 12 a is curved in three dimensions so as to define aconcavity 15 in the rear surface (see FIG. 5 ) that is configured toreceive a breast. The concavity 15 may be dimensioned for a particularcup size or range of cup sizes, for example cup sizes A-C for small tomedium-sized breasts or C-E for medium to large-sized breasts.

The sternum and abdomen portions 12 b, 12 c are curved in threedimensions to conform to the sternum and abdomen of a female body.

The plate 12 is made from a pliable material that changes at least onemechanical property to absorb impact energy from an object.

The material is viscoelastic polyurethane (PU) memory foam. The materialproperties of the polyurethane memory foam are as follows:

-   -   Young's modulus 10-200 MPa*    -   Yield strength 0.9-10 MPa*    -   Density 150-500 g/l

*The Young's modulus and yield strength are dependent on the density ofthe polyurethane memory foam—the higher the density the higher theYoung's modulus and yield strength.

The plate 12 has a plurality of holes 16 in the breast and abdomenportions 12 a, 12 c. The holes 16 allow passage of air therethrough forevaporative cooling the wearer. The positioning of the holes 16 on thebreast and abdomen portions 12 a, 12 c is advantageous in certainsituations because the Applicant found that more heat is generated inthese areas than in the sternum area. As such, it is beneficial toprovide increased cooling in these areas.

The plate 12 has a uniform thickness of 13 mm throughout, i.e. each ofthe breast, abdomen and sternum portions 12 a, 12 b, 12 c are 13 mmthick.

FIGS. 6-8 show a variation of the body armour 10 a for women. The bodyarmour 10 a differs from the body armour 10 in that the plurality ofholes 16 are positioned around an outside perimeter of each of thebreast portions 12 a.

FIG. 9 shows a garment, in the form of a jersey 100, that is intendedfor use with the body armour 10, 10 a as previously described.

The jersey 100 includes a retainer, in the form of a pocket 110, thatremovably retains the body armour 10, 10 a therein.

The pocket 110 comprises a flap that folds over the body armour 10, 10 ato restrict movement out from the pocket. In other words, the pocket 110is an envelope configuration.

An advantage of the jersey 100 is that the body armour 10, 10 a can beremoved to allow the jersey 100 to be washed in a washing machine. Thisis in contrast to garments with permanently attached (stitched or glued)armour which can only be cleaned by hand-washing.

Experimental Testing

Overview

Experimental testing was performed on body armour, according anembodiment of the invention, in order to assess the effectiveness of thebody armour against the technical standard EN 1621-3:2018 (relating tomotorcycle protective armour). The testing involved impact testing ofthe body armour to determine the force transmitted through the bodyarmour to the wearer—which simulates a collision with an object.

The testing was assessed against two benchmarks (CE Level 1 and CE Level2) provided in EN 1621-3:2018. These benchmarks will be discussed infurther detail later in the specification.

The testing was performed on different models of body armour accordingto the invention having the specifications shown in Table 1 below.

Body armour with a designation “1” in the model number are CE level 1rated and body armour with a designation “2” in the model number are CElevel 2 rated. The rating of the body armour is a function of the numberof molecules of polyurethane in the foam structure for a particularvolume, i.e., the density of the foam. In other words, the denser thefoam the greater the impact absorption capability. However, density isproportional to the weight of the body armour. As such, the density ofthe body armour is selected based on a minimum weight that meets therelevant benchmark.

TABLE 1 specifications of different models of body armour according tothe invention used in the experimental testing. Model Max Max Max ofbody Length Width Thickness Weight Volume Density armour (mm) (mm) (mm)(g) (cm³) (g/l) SD1-L 283 304 13 350 1200 291 SD2-L 283 304 13 540 1200450 SD1-M 238 301 13 260 925 281 SD2-M 238 301 13 400 925 433

Test Rig

FIG. 10 shows a test rig 200 for testing body armour. The test rig 200comprises an upright frame A, an impactor B and an anvil C. The impactorB and the frame A are moveably connected so as to guide the impactor Balong the frame A towards the anvil C. The anvil C comprises a forcetransducer D for measuring the force applied to the anvil C whenimpacted by the impactor B.

When the impactor B is dropped from a height above the anvil C, theimpactor B accelerates under gravity towards the anvil C and deceleratesupon impact with the anvil C.

The amount of force that is transmitted to the anvil C (and measured bythe transducer D) is proportionate to the change in momentum (massmultiplied by velocity) of the impactor B. As can be appreciated, thequicker the impactor B decelerates the more force is transmitted to theanvil C.

Without being bound by theory, a purpose of the body armour is todecelerate an object which impacts the body armour over a longer periodof time—which results in less force being transmitted to the wearer. Thebody armour may achieve this by elastically deforming such that some ofthe kinetic energy of the object is transferred to heat in the particlesof the body armour.

To test the body armour using the above-described test rig, the bodyarmour, indicated as E in FIG. 10 , is positioned on the anvil C. Theimpactor B is then dropped from a height above the anvil C. When theimpactor B hits the body armour E, the body armour E decelerates theimpactor B such that less force is transmitted to the anvil C (andmeasured by the transducer D), than would otherwise be transmitted inthe absence of the body armour E.

The impactor B has a mass of about 5 kg and is dropped from a height ofabout 1 m above the anvil C. Prior to being dropped, the impactor B hasa gravitational potential energy of around 50 Joules which is thenconverted to a kinetic energy upon being released.

Testing Parameters

As mentioned above, the testing was assessed against two benchmarks (CELevel 1 and Level 2) provided in EN 1621-3:2018.

For CE Level 1 protection: the average transmitted force must be below18 kN, and no single value shall exceed 24 kN.

For CE Level 2 protection: the average transmitted force must be below 9kN, and no single value shall exceed 12 kN.

The body armour was impact tested with both “standard condition”, i.e.dry and ambient temperature, and a “wet condition”, i.e. afterhydrolytic treatment.

The “standard condition” involves subjecting to an environment with anatmospheric temperature of 23° C. and a humidity of 50% r.h.

25 The “wet condition” involves subjecting the body armour to hydrolytictreatment for 72 hours in an environment with an atmospheric temperatureof 70° C. and a humidity greater than 96% r.h. and then 24 hours in anenvironment with an atmospheric temperature of 23° C.

Two differed impactors were used in the testing: a “kerbstone” impactorand a “conical” impactor.

FIG. 11 a shows a “kerbstone” impactor which has a flat striking face.The “kerbstone” impactor is used to simulate the armour being struck bya blunt object.

FIG. 11 b shows a “conical” impactor which has a pointed striking face.The “conical” impactor is used to simulate the armour being struck by asharp object.

For tests involving the “conical” impactor, the body armour was impactedat an “X” location—on the breast portion; and at a “Y” location—on thesternum portion.

The “conical” impactor was used in the CE Level 2 benchmark only.

Results

The tables below show the results of the experimental testing.

TABLE 2 eight separate tests on the SD1-M and SD2-M model body armour ina “standard condition” using a “kerbstone” impactor to satisfy CE Level1 requirements. SD1-M SD2-M Requirement Pass/ Test type No. (kN) (kN)(kN) Fail 50J “kerbstone” 1 10.5 8.7 ≤24 Pass impactor - 2 13.5 7.3 ≤24Pass standard 3 13.6 9.7 ≤24 Pass condition 4 10.4 8.8 ≤24 Pass (23°C./50% r.h.) 5 12.9 9.8 ≤24 Pass 6 8.0 7.0 ≤24 Pass 7 8.1 10.6 ≤24 Pass8 14.3 10.1 ≤24 Pass Mean 11.4 9.0 ≤18 Pass

TABLE 3 four separate tests on the SD1-M and SD2-M model body armour ina “wet condition” using a “kerbstone” impactor to satisfy CE Level 1requirements. SD1-M SD2-M Requirement Pass/ Test type No. (kN) (kN) (kN)Fail 50J “kerbstone” 1 10.9 9.7 ≤24 Pass impactor - 2 11.3 9.3 ≤24 PassWet condition, i.e. 3 11.9 9.0 ≤24 Pass after hydrolytic treatment 4 7.96.9 ≤24 Pass 72 h/+70° C./>96% Mean 10.5 8.7 ≤18 Pass r.h. + 24 h/23° C.

TABLE 4 four separate tests on the SD1-M and SD2-M model body armour ina “standard condition” using a “conical” impactor to satisfy CE Level 2requirements. Require- SD1-M SD2-M ment Pass/ Test type No. location(kN) (kN) (kN) Fail 50J “conical” 1 Point “X” N/a 7.8 ≤12 Passimpactor - 2 Point “X” N/a 7.6 ≤12 Pass Standard 3 Point “Y” N/a 9.4 ≤12Pass condition (23° 4 Point “Y” N/a 9.4 ≤12 Pass C./50% r.h.) Mean 8.6≤9 Pass

TABLE 5 eight separate tests on the SD1-L and SD2-L model body armour ina “standard condition” using a “kerbstone” impactor to satisfy CE Level1 requirements. SD1-L SD2-L Requirement Pass/ Test type No. (kN) (kN)(kN) Fail 50J “kerbstone” 1 9.1 10.9 ≤24 Pass impactor - 2 10.4 10.5 ≤24Pass standard 3 8.9 10.4 ≤24 Pass condition 4 10.2 8.9 ≤24 Pass (23°C./50% r.h.) 5 11.0 10.0 ≤24 Pass 6 10.1 11.1 ≤24 Pass 7 9.4 9.8 ≤24Pass 8 10.0 10.1 ≤24 Pass Mean 9.9 10.2 ≤18 Pass

TABLE 6 four separate tests on the SD1-L and SD2-L model body armour ina “wet condition” using a “kerbstone” impactor to satisfy CE Level 1requirements. SD1-L SD2-L Requirement Pass/ Test type No. (kN) (kN) (kN)Fail 50J “kerbstone” 1 10.0 10.7 ≤24 Pass impactor - 2 10.2 11.3 ≤24Pass Wet condition, i.e. 3 9.3 9.3 ≤24 Pass after hydrolytic treatment 410.0 9.8 ≤24 Pass 72 h/+70° C./>96% Mean 9.9 10.3 ≤18 Pass r.h. + 24h/23° C.

TABLE 7 four separate tests on the SD1-L and SD2-L model body armour ina “standard condition” using a “conical” impactor to satisfy CE Level 2requirements. Require- SD1-L SD2-L ment Pass/ Test type No. location(kN) (kN) (kN) Fail 50J “conical” 1 Point “X” N/a 5.2 ≤12 Passimpactor - 2 Point “X” N/a 5.4 ≤12 Pass Standard 3 Point “Y” N/a 2.3 ≤12Pass condition (23° 4 Point “Y” N/a 2.7 ≤12 Pass C./50% r.h.) Mean 3.9≤9 Pass

Analysis of Results

As can be seen from the tables, the body armour complies with Level 1and Level 2 protection because the average force transmitted and themaximum single value of each and any every test is below the respectiverequirements for each benchmark.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the inventionthat many modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. Body armour for women, the body armour comprises a plate withpreformed breast and sternum portions which conform to the breasts andsternum of a female body, wherein at least part of the plate is madefrom a pliable material that moulds to the shape of a user's body andabsorbs impact energy from an object.
 2. The body armour of claim 1,wherein the plate has a substantially continuous surface.
 3. The bodyarmour of claim 1, wherein the plate is made from a single piece ofmaterial.
 4. The body armour of claim 1, wherein the material increasesits rigidity upon impact with an object.
 5. The body armour of claim 1,wherein the material is viscoelastic.
 6. The body armour of claim 1,wherein the material is an open-cell structure.
 7. The body armour ofclaim 1, wherein the material is a polyurethane memory foam.
 8. The bodyarmour of claim 7, wherein the polyurethane memory foam has a density ofbetween 150 g/l and 500 g/l.
 9. The body armour of claim 1, wherein theplate has a uniform thickness throughout.
 10. The body armour of claim1, wherein the plate is at least in thickness.
 11. The body armour ofclaim 1, wherein the plate has an abdomen portion which is shaped toconform to the abdomen of a female body.
 12. The body armour of claim11, wherein the plate has an opening to allow air flow therethrough. 13.The body armour of claim 12, wherein the opening is located on at leastone of the breast and abdomen portions.
 14. Body armour for women, thebody armour comprises a plate made from memory foam with preformedbreast, sternum and abdomen portions which conform to the breasts,sternum and abdomen of a female body, respectively, wherein the abdomenportion has a plurality of openings to allow the passage of air flowtherethrough.
 15. A garment comprising the body armour of claim 1, wherethe garment has a retainer that is configured to removably retain thebody armour therein.